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Leadership integrity isn't optional – it's the heartbeat of organizational culture. When a CEO's personal choices make headlines at a Coldplay concert, it reveals a troubling truth: character failures at the top send ripples throughout entire companies.

The evidence speaks volumes. Studies show 80% of employees believe leadership behavior (not words) defines cultural norms, while companies with engaged employees perform up to 202% better than those without. As scripture reminds us, "the student is not above the teacher" – your actions as a leader become the blueprint others follow.

Great leaders shape positive cultures through five key practices: walking in transparency by owning mistakes, protecting healthy boundaries in workplace relationships, leading by example rather than exception, addressing toxic behavior swiftly regardless of performance, and for those of faith, inviting spiritual discernment into decision-making. Each practice creates psychological safety that drives innovation and engagement.

When leaders inevitably stumble, restoration must be the focus. This means honest acknowledgment without spin, protecting those impacted, inviting genuine accountability (not just PR fixes), and starting fresh with authentic humility. Remember - culture isn't just an HR slogan. It's the foundation of trust, retention, and organizational health.

Whether you lead a major corporation, a small team, or simply influence others through your daily interactions, your character creates someone's workplace environment tomorrow. The small integrity choices you make today ripple outward in ways you may never fully see. Let's commit to leading in the light, recognizing that who we are ultimately matters more than what we say.

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What does true freedom really mean beyond fireworks, parades, and patriotic speeches? In this powerful episode of Real Freedom, we go beyond the red, white, and blue to explore the deeper meaning of freedom—through the lens of faith, personal liberty, and spiritual transformation.

Join us as we unpack how faith intersects with freedom, challenge cultural norms around Independence Day, and uncover what it means to live freely in today’s world—not just as citizens, but as people of purpose.

Whether you’re wrestling with political tension, seeking spiritual clarity, or simply wondering how to reclaim your personal liberty in a noisy world, this episode is a must-listen.

Subscribe and share with someone who’s searching for real freedom—beyond just July 4th.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Mid-year can feel like a weird in-between—goals set in January are distant memories, and summer's supposed lightness often gets lost in the chaos of daily life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, drained, or stuck in the swirl of “what now?”—this episode is your breath of fresh air.

In this power-packed conversation, Holly Curby shares 5 transformative habits that take just 7 seconds or less—backed by neuroscience and grounded in Scripture. These tiny, intentional actions can reset your mindset, lower stress, and bring peace—right in the middle of the mess.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why mid-year burnout is real—and what to do about it
• The power of micro-habits to rewire your brain
• How faith and neuroscience intersect in daily transformation
• Simple shifts you can do in the car, at the sink, or in a moment of overwhelm
• Scriptures that support small beginnings and daily renewal

The 5 Tiny Shifts:

1. The Breath & Bless Shift
   Take a deep breath and thank God for the moment. This calms your nervous system and grounds you spiritually.
2. The Compliment Shift
   Speak kindness—to someone else or yourself. It changes your brain and your relationships.
3. The Gratitude Shift
   Spot one thing you’re thankful for and say it aloud. Gratitude literally rewires your mind.
4. The “What Matters” Shift
   Ask: What actually matters right now? This clears out mental clutter and brings clarity.
5. The Name It & Release It Shift
   Identify your emotion—then release it in prayer. As Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord…”

These aren’t productivity hacks. They’re quiet, sacred choices that create real, lasting change. Whether you're deep in a meltdown or simply feeling "meh" halfway through the year, these tools are designed to help you re-root in peace, purpose, and presence.

• Romans 12:2 – "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
• Zechariah 4:10 – "Do not despise these small beginnings…"
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – "Give thanks in all circumstances…"
• Psalm 46:10 – "Be still and know that I am God."
• Galatians 6:9 – "Do not grow weary in doing good…"

Know someone in the messy middle of their year? Share this episode with them—your share might be their shift.

Tag @hollycurby on Instagram and let us know which shift made a difference in your day.
Subscribe + review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to support the show and help more listeners find it.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Grit separates surviving from thriving. It's not glamorous or trending, but it's the backbone of how we keep moving forward – especially when no one's watching.

What does real grit look like? Sometimes it's celebrating a milestone nobody thought possible. My dad, diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in 2015 with a three-year prognosis, just marked his 10th year post-diagnosis. Through grueling stem cell and T-cell transplants, two brushes with 50-50 survival odds, and countless challenging days, he chose to fight. His remission today isn't just science – it's a testament to endurance, faith, and refusing to give up.

Grit also appears in unexpected places. When our newly adopted shelter dog was diagnosed with rare, terminal cancer, my children showed what grit truly means. Instead of pulling away from inevitable heartbreak, they've leaned into love – giving extra cuddles, special treats, and making every remaining day count. That's grit in its purest form: choosing to show up with compassion when your heart is breaking.

Research backs up what we intuitively know. Angela Duckworth's groundbreaking studies revealed that grit – defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals – predicts success better than intelligence, talent, or background. In studies of West Point cadets, successful salespeople, and high achievers across fields, the common thread wasn't natural ability but consistent determination. The good news? Grit can be cultivated through discipline, mindset, and faith.

Where do you need grit today? Maybe it's showing up for a struggling loved one, persisting through a career setback, praying when your faith feels dry, or serving your community without recognition. Whatever challenges you're facing, remember – you've got more grit in you than you realize. Don't give up. You're stronger than you know, and your perseverance today is building the foundation for tomorrow's victory.

Ready to develop more grit in your life? Subscribe to Holly's Highlights and join our monthly email at www.hollycurby.com for practical worksheets to help you cultivate resilience through life's toughest moments.

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It's time to share my skincare secret! Use my personal link to save (note I do receive a discount on my future purchases when you make a purchase, so thank you!).

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Standing at the edge of my daughter's high school graduation, I found myself reflecting on eighteen years ago, holding my heart's desire in my arms. Suddenly here she was - cap, gown, and all grown up. This milestone hit differently as a single parent, bringing both overwhelming pride and that bittersweet ache of letting go.

What messages do we send to a time we will never see through our children? What does it mean to provide both roots and wings? Through tears and celebration, I've discovered five powerful life lessons from this graduation threshold that apply to everyone navigating change: your identity isn't what you achieve but who you belong to; you can step forward without having everything figured out; presence matters more than perfection; letting go is a sacred spiritual practice; and your best days aren't behind you - they're ahead.

Whether you're a parent watching your child take flight, a graduate stepping into the unknown, or anyone moving through life's inevitable transitions, this episode offers both comfort and courage for the journey. As Maya Angelou reminded us, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Join me in exploring how to embrace these breathtaking moments with faith, purpose, and the confidence that you're not lost - you're simply in motion. Share this episode with someone facing a significant life transition who needs to hear they're not alone on their journey.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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There's a bittersweet beauty in watching a chapter close, especially one that's been thirteen years in the making. Sitting alone in the bleachers after my daughter's high school softball awards night, tears streaming down my face, I found myself overwhelmed not with sadness that it was over, but with profound gratitude that it happened at all.

This journey through softball fields and dugouts has taught me far more than how to keep score or pack the perfect game day snack. It revealed profound truths about perseverance when facing challenges like flooded fields and tough seasons. It demonstrated how true leadership isn't about wearing a captain's badge, but about the energy and encouragement you bring to others. And most powerfully, it showed how attitude becomes the ultimate game-changer – not just on the diamond, but in life.

From watching my daughter draw dragonflies in the dirt to honor her grandmother, to celebrating that game-winning home run bunt, each moment built toward something bigger than trophies or statistics. Whether you're a parent approaching the end of a childhood chapter, a leader navigating team dynamics, or someone simply trying to play your best game in life, these lessons resonate: grit wins long-term, teamwork multiplies strength, your attitude is your superpower, and the small victories deserve celebration too. The final scoreboard doesn't define success – the heart you bring to the game does. Share this episode with someone standing at the end of their own meaningful chapter, and remember: though seasons end, the impact of how we live them endures forever.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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Ever felt the emotional whiplash from breakfast in bed on Mother's Day to Monday morning chaos with dishes piled high and everyone asking what's for dinner? This honest conversation dives into what happens when the flowers fade and we're left wondering if we're making any difference at all.

Drawing from personal experience as both a mother and daughter who's lost her mom, I explore the bittersweet reality behind Mother's Day celebrations and offer practical wisdom for carrying the spirit of motherhood through all 365 days of the year. We unpack the original purpose of Mother's Day—honoring mothers whose sons died in war—reminding us that this holiday has always held both celebration and grief.

Whether you're a biological mother, spiritual mentor, or someone who nurtures others in any capacity, you'll discover three powerful strategies to sustain you beyond the greeting cards: anchoring in your God-given identity, living with intentional faith in small daily actions, and building genuine community to combat isolation. Through vulnerable stories and biblical insights from Psalms 139, Galatians 6:9, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we'll confront those nagging questions of worth and impact that visit us in quiet moments.

Your legacy isn't built through grand gestures or perfect performances but through consistent, faithful presence—often in unseen moments that may never receive applause. If you've ever felt invisible, underappreciated, or questioned whether you're enough, this episode offers the gentle reminder that what you do matters, especially when no one's watching. Join me for this heart-to-heart conversation about trading perfection for presence and finding your worth in truth rather than thank-yous.

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Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.

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What happens when Teacher Appreciation Week ends but the challenges facing educators continue? This episode dives deep into the realities of teaching in America today, where 3.7 million educators shape our future while earning 23.5% less than comparable professionals and facing unprecedented burnout rates.

Drawing from personal connections – a mother who taught for over two decades and a sister in school support staff – Holly explores why teacher appreciation must transform from a seasonal gesture into an intentional, year-round commitment. The discussion weaves together compelling statistics, heartfelt anecdotes, and practical wisdom about supporting the backbone of our communities.

You'll discover five actionable ways to support teachers that don't require deep pockets or special connections: from the power of a simple thank-you note (which Holly's mother kept in a special folder for discouraging days) to advocating at school board meetings. Perhaps most powerfully, the episode examines how our conversations about teachers at home directly shape children's attitudes toward education – when we complain about teachers being "too strict" or roll our eyes at school policies, we teach children that "teachers are obstacles, not allies."

Ready to make a difference for the educators who've shaped your journey? Connect with resources like DonorsChoose.org, take one meaningful step to honor a teacher in your life, and join the conversation by tagging an educator who made a difference on social media. Because while Teacher Appreciation Week may end, our gratitude shouldn't.

Support the show

Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.